Castle Vale Community Housing Association has appointed Anthony Collins Solicitors to Lot 1, which covers governance, corporate, human resources and regulation, finance and securitisation, development and home ownership. This is estimated to be worth £246,750 ex VAT over the full contract period including extensions.

It has also named Trowers & Hamlins to Lot 2, which covers housing, property management and asset management. This is estimated to be worth £284,300 ex VAT over the full contract period including extensions.

The contract was awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender in terms of quality (weighting 50) and price (weighting 50).

The contract for both lots is for 3 years with an option to extend to an annual basis for up to 2 years subject to satisfactory service.

Built in the mid 1960s, Castle Vale is one of the largest post-war housing estates in the Midlands. The housing association currently manages 2,400 homes.

In all the action to remove defective cladding, leaseholders have been the elephant in the room. Whilst social landlords might have adopted a wait and see approach private landlords do not have that luxury.